Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has suspended his plans for a unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank, a government minister says. Housing minister Meir Shetreet said the plan had not been abandoned entirely. He was commenting on media reports press that the pullout was no longer at the top of Mr Olmert's agenda. Mr Olmert was elected on a platform of withdrawal from some of the West Bank, while tightening Israel's hold on large settlements and the Jordan Valley. The BBC's Bethany Bell in Jerusalem says the development comes at a time when support in Israel both for the withdrawal and for Mr Olmert's government appears to be slipping. Fighting and violence in Lebanon and in Gaza this summer has caused many Israelis to question the plans. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk

Israel says it would be "difficult if not inconceivable" to accept nations which do not recognise its right to exist as part of a UN force in Lebanon. Israeli UN envoy Dan Gillerman was speaking after Indonesia and Malaysia, which do not recognise Israel, pledged troops for the UN deployment. Malaysia said Israel should have no say in the make-up of the force. The UN has expressed cautious optimism that it can deploy an initial 3,500-strong force within two weeks. UN deputy chief Mark Malloch Brown warned earlier that delay could threaten the ceasefire. But building the force has proved problematical. Mr Malloch Brown said a lot of work was needed in the coming days to meet the two-week deadline. There is concern that the offers do not necessarily provide the right mix of troops and capabilities needed for the deployment, the BBC's Bridget Kendall in New York says. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5262490.stm

Thousands of flood victims remain stranded in drastic circumstances in south-west Ethiopia, relief staff say. The River Omo burst its banks at the weekend, causing huge floods. About 900 have died in floods in several regions of Ethiopia in the past two weeks. Poor weather and surging currents are hampering relief operations from the Arba Minch army base in the south-west. One helicopter pilot said he had spotted 1,000 marooned people but had been unable to land to rescue them. "Lack of access is having a significant impact on the ability of helicopters to move... where they are able to fly, they drop floating tubes," Vincent Lelei, deputy head of mission for the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs OCHA told Reuters news agency. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5262928.stm

The United States and its allies are rushing billions of dollars for the reconstruction of Lebanon while Iran provides cash through its proxy, Hezbollah, in a race to establish long-term political influence among the country's war-ravaged Shi'ite communities. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are sending $2 billion, said a Lebanese source close to the majority party in government, and the United States has publicly promised $50 million in humanitarian assistance. That sum will likely be increased at an international pledging conference later this month. Hezbollah, which successfully held off the Israeli military in the monthlong war that ended Monday, is already working with residents of the south to rebuild homes and businesses destroyed in the conflict. "This is an opportunity to do more than just rebuild, but to help to shape Lebanon's future, and probably that is the biggest challenge," said Rick Barton, who studies post-conflict reconstruction at the Center for Strategic and ...http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20060817-102134-7176r.htm

State agencies have accused a doctor of failing to follow proper procedures in two late-term abortions, suspended his license and blocked his five clinics from performing abortions. Dr. James Pendergraft denies the accusations and plans to appeal the order. Spokeswoman Marti Mackenzie said he was "the target of government agencies determined to limit the access of Florida women to safe and legal late-term abortions."The emergency license suspension order filed last week by the Health Department said that Pendergraf prescribed drugs without appropriate authorization in two third-trimester abortions he performed in 2004 and 2005...http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,209059,00.html

Managers at the world's largest privately-owned copper mine, Chile's Escondida, have suspended operations as a strike enters its 12th day. Escondida said it had shut down work because striking staff had blocked access roads to the mine for two days, causing a health and security risk. The firm, which is majority owned by global giant BHP Billiton, also said it had broken off talks with the union. Union staff at the mine are striking in a dispute over pay. While their picketing is continuing, earlier this week the workers appeared to soften their stand, cutting their pay rise demand from 13% to 10%. Managers are continuing to only offer 3%. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5261990.stm